If you use ladders or step ladders at work, you must inspect them regularly to ensure they are safe for use.
Regular ladder inspections are essential for minimising the likelihood of accidents and injuries at work. Even if you follow all the necessary safety protocols and are skilled in ladder use, a damaged ladder will let you down and can cause serious injuries. Checking the ladder for signs of damage is a good way to avoid that outcome.
However, even the most competent ladder user can still make mistakes when carrying out their periodic ladder inspections or pre-use checks. This article will discuss five of the most common mistakes made when inspecting a ladder and what precautions companies should put in place to ensure that all ladder use is carried out safely and efficiently with minimal risk.
1. Overlooking Signs of Damage
It’s all too easy to miss cracks, dents, bends and other damage in a ladder’s structure, particularly if some parts of the ladder are covered up by labels or paint. Using a ladder that has paint, grease, mud or any other slippery substance on the step or rails can also pose a risk of slips and falls.
To combat this, all ladders should be cleaned thoroughly of any paint, grease or sticky labels before use. Regular inspections should also take place in order to identify any wear and tear or other minor issues, thus allowing for proactive replacements before major problems arise and the ladder fails.
Identifying and fixing minor issues early also helps to extend the life of the ladder and minimise money spent on purchasing replacements. You’ll also lose less time to interruptions caused by equipment failure.
2. Forgetting to Check the Ladder’s Feet
Another area of ladder inspection that is often overlooked is the ladder’s feet. Dirt and debris can easily become stuck to the feet of your ladder, reducing the traction between the ladder and the ground and increasing your risk of slips and falls. Before you use the ladder, it is therefore essential to check that the feet are in good condition and making solid contact with the ground.
This is particularly important when moving the ladder from soft ground (like soil, loose stone or sand) to a smooth solid surface (like paving slabs) as soil, chipping and stones can easily become embedded in the feet of the ladder and make it uneven.
3. Failing to Notice Loose Rungs / Fixings
Another common mistake is failing to notice loose rungs and other fixings. This frequently happens when checks on the ladder are only done visually instead of manually, as many issues with rungs and railings appear fine to the naked eye and are only noticeable when someone is climbing the ladder – and at that point it is often too late to prevent injury.
We therefore recommend closely inspecting rails, rungs and spreaders for any signs of physical damage using your hands as well as your eyes. Any accessories such as levels and stabilisers should also be checked thoroughly to ensure they are securely attached and functioning correctly. For specific inspection points and maintenance recommendations, it is also always a wise idea to check the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions. Regular, recorded ladder inspections that follow the manufacturer guidelines can help protect you against legal liability in the unfortunate case that an accident does happen, since this demonstrates that reasonable safety measures were taken.
4. Not Inspecting the Surrounding Environment
Even if you have thoroughly inspected your ladder, your work is not done yet. Many people forget that no matter how thoroughly you check your ladder for damage and faults, if you place it in a hazardous area, it is still unsafe for use. Ladders should not be stood on movable objects like scaffolds, pallets, bricks, vans or buckets, as these surfaces can easily move and cause the ladder to become unstable, leading to accidents.
If you are using a ladder in a public area, the ladder should be protected by either cones or another suitable barrier so that it is visible to all and won’t be pushed over by any windows or doors opening. As a last resort if you are without cones or barriers, a person standing guard at the base of the ladder should suffice.
For more information on where ladders should and shouldn’t be used, review the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on the safe use of ladders and stepladders.
5. Neglecting to Re-Check the Ladder After Moving It
No matter how thoroughly you check and how structurally sound a ladder may seem after one usage, you must always repeat the full inspection whenever something changes (for example, if the ladder has been dropped or moved). Particularly with multipurpose and telescopic ladders, it is essential that you recheck that the ladder’s locking mechanisms are working properly every time the ladder setup is changed. Never assume that, because a ladder worked well previously, it must still be in good condition for use. Always check again!
As you can see, there are many different aspects to consider when inspecting a ladder and it is easy to overlook areas that may not seem important. However, ensuring that a ladder is safe and in good working condition is essential for creating a safe working environment and reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries. It is therefore crucial that all workers using ladders are properly trained on how to inspect them and use them safely.
